Mayor Matt Nicholson has begun to release each task associated with the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda and what is being done.
The Tribune will provide information as it is released from the city of Seymour. The city released information on task 2.1 of the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda below.
The opportunity zone is centered on the Burkart Bypass and trail on the east and south sides of the city and encompasses the Eastside and Freeman Field Industrial parks, Cummins and Walmart Distribution Center. It is one of the city’s fastest growing areas – increasing by 81% compared to the city’s 39% during the same period — and is one of the most population-dense and racially/ethnically diverse areas of the city.
We are going to take a closer look at the 13 tasks associated with the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda, why they were identified, what is being done to accomplish each task, who is responsible for completing the tasks, how they will be funded and a timeline for completion.
There has been much discussion in our community about what this plan is and what it means. Some people have incorrectly labeled it as “becoming a sanctuary city,” when only a couple of the tasks directly address immigration. So, we will start there since immigration seems to be one of the most divisive topics in our community right now based on the phone calls and emails we receive and the comments we read on social media.
Su Casa, a Columbus-based organization, is currently providing support to Seymour’s rapidly increasing immigrant population through its Vecina or Neighbor Program. They have an office at the Community Agency Building in downtown Seymour but only part-time staff. It is simply not enough to handle the high number of immigrants we have.
Task 2.1 of the Burkart Opportunity Zone Agenda is to develop an immigrant welcome center for people in our area.
What is an immigrant welcome center?
This will be a centralized place for residents new to the area to receive support, information, and guidance on options for local healthcare, education, employment, job training, transportation, daycare, and housing. It will provide a connection to local churches for assistance, support for entrepreneurs wanting to open businesses, education on renting and buying a home and referrals for federal immigration services including applying for a green card for permanent residency or becoming a U.S. citizen.
The welcome center will also provide meeting and training space for the community at-large.
This task will take three or more years to complete with Su Casa and United Way leading implementation and support from the Community Foundation and local pastors.
Identified sources for potential funding include a Community Development Block Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Lilly Endowment, the US Department of Agriculture Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program and Indiana’s READI 2.0 program.
This post is about Task 2.1 – creating an immigrant center.
We will post again about Task 2.2 – strengthening multi-lingual communications for immigrants needing to learn English. Although there is a task 2.3 involving creating a community space near South O’Brien Street, we feel this task aligns more with creating new places for recreation and socializing, which we will discuss at a later date.
Friday, March 15, we will delve into enhancing career pathways and building small businesses with Task 1.1 – training existing workers for advancement and Task 1.2 – encouraging small business growth through entrepreneur support.
You can read the entire Burkart Opportunity Zone Inclusive Economic Development Agenda on our website at https://seymourin.org/…/pdf/2023-0801-Burkart-Agenda.pdf.
This agenda was developed with the input of many people. The Core Team was Mayor Matt Nicholson, Community Foundation President and CEO Dan Davis, Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. Workforce Partnership Director Jackie Hill and JCIDC Executive Director Jim Plump. The Advisory Coalition is made up of Kevin Johnson, Marvin Veatch, Dan Robison, Dr. Eric Fish, Nate Tormoehlen, Ryon Wheeler, Ginger Schneck, Maci Baurle, Rexanne Ude, Brandon Harpe, Danny Mendez, Andy Royalty, Colin Smith, Heather VonDielingen, Brian Terrell, Marnie Dirks, Solomon Rust, Sehrish Sangamkar, Tammy Barker, Yesenia Otero and Ardell Mitchell.
Focus groups were conducted with Pet Supplies Plus employees, Aisin USA employees, the Mayor’s Youth Council, Seymour High School’s Jobs for America’s Graduates Program, local pastors, Seymour Young Professionals, Brown Elementary School leaders and the 4-H Juntos Group and their families.